‘Endurance training will be our main focus’ Indian coach Manuel D’Souza

Manuel D’Souza

With India scheduled to play a series of blockbuster international football friendlies against global giants Brazil (October 3), Uruguay (October 6), and Panama (September 25), the onus is on strength and conditioning coach Manuel D'Souza to deliver a super-fit squad for head coach Khalid Jamil to work with.

And D'Souza, 36, is relishing the test. "This is my biggest challenge ever. I have to make sure the boys are more than 100 per cent fit. I have to give coach Khalid a super-fit team. I need to make sure the team is on the same page [in terms of their fitness] for the coach to execute his plans," Bandra resident D'Souza told mid-day on Tuesday.

Considering the Blue Tigers will be pitted against much higher-ranked opposition, who will undoubtedly have more ball possession, D'Souza's training regime at the upcoming camp (starting on September 14, most probably at Bengaluru) will focus on endurance and sprint training.

"I' will be focussing on endurance training for the players. We'll do plenty of interval runs along with 60 and 80-yard sprints, with an eye on sustainability because you will have to be running throughout these matches," D'Souza added on Tuesday.

While it will take a monumental effort for India to come away with positive results, D'Souza believes nothing is impossible.

"I believe if you have a very fit side, you can defend well and prevent any opposition from scoring. Ultimately [irrespective of the result], the players need to take this as a learning experience and get better with every match," he signed off.